About the role

We seek a Mass Spectometrist who will be involved in running our MS facility to employ state-of-the-art technologies primarily focused on HDX-MS but also intact mass, native MS and IMS analyses. This lab-based role involves independent design, execution and interpretation of scientific experiments to structurally and dynamically characterize proteins and molecular complexes with a focus on IDPs. Besides providing mass spectrometry data for multiple biologics and small molecule drug discovery projects, you help improve our computational platform to yield new drugs against a challenging class of proteins. Your work provides crucial data about protein structure and interactions that you effectively communicate as part of a multi-disciplinary project team by giving clear scientific recommendations. You develop and implement new techniques ranging from low- to high-throughput mass spectrometry. You work in a highly collaborative, team-oriented, fast-paced start-up environment with a strong commitment to delivering in ways that cut across traditional industry boundaries.

What you'll do

Provide high-quality mass spectrometry data (i.e., lab and analytical workflows) with a clear focus on HDX/MS experiments, intact mass, native MS and IMS analyses.
Deliver hands-on work on Liquid chromatography (LC) - MS devices while handling the automation system, stopped-flow devices and mass spectrometers for HDX-MS analyses.
Design, plan and perform in vitro experiments of single proteins, protein-protein complexes and protein-small molecule complexes related to cancer, neurodegenerative and other diseases.
Employ physicochemical characterisation of pharmaceutically relevant biomolecules in drug discovery, including intrinsically disordered proteins, antibodies and small molecules.
Besides mass spectrometry, employ further analytical techniques like DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy and SDS-PAGE.
Process, interpret and illustrate complex data of MS and HDX-MS experiments.
Maintain cutting-edge scientific knowledge in HDX-MS, LC-MS and various fragmentation techniques like electron capture dissociation (ECD) to drive innovation in our business.
Ensure the role is compliant with general laboratory standards, safety, health and environment standards and all other relevant internal Peptone standards and external regulations.
Drive instrument troubleshooting and solve technical challenges.
Perform Statistical data analysis and interpretation of results.
Deliver SOPs, reports, presentations, and discussion of data in team meetings with associated subject matter experts.
Comply with industry standards of good research practice principles, including relevant documentation procedures in an ELN.
Contribute to multidisciplinary research drug discovery and technology projects, effectively communicating recommendations and contributing to team decisions.

What you bring

PhD or MSc degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, (bio)chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field with relevant hands-on experience in the lab.
Experience in HDX-MS is a plus but not a must, whereas expert knowledge and hands-on experience with handling a mass spectrometer and performing mass spectrometry-based experiments is mandatory.
Industry experience is a big plus.
Strong hands-on experience with a mass spectrometer and MS-related software for operating the instruments and for data processing and evaluation.
Hands-on experience and highly proactive mindset to solve technical problems and troubleshoot instruments.
Profound knowledge of protein chemistry, and hands-on lab experience with handling and characterizing proteins with a variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Experience in biochemical and molecular biology methods and high-throughput technologies is a plus.
Programming skills in standard languages e.g. Python, and experience with physics-based simulations (e.g. Molecular Dynamics simulations, Monte Carlo calculations, ligand or small molecule docking) are a plus.
Knowledge in statistical data analysis and experimental design.
Strong scientific and organizational skills with a great attention to detail.
Proactive, independent, structured and highly motivated approach to work combined with excellent problem-solving skills and a great team spirit.
Strong team player with good communication skills and experience of working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborations.
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory. Fluency in Italian is a plus

About us

Peptone is a category-defining translational biophysics company focusing on the intersection of physics, biology and supercomputing. Currently, we are in the scale up phase, where our efforts go into building out our experimental lab capacity in Switzerland while growing the HPC and ML teams in the UK.

Our interdisciplinary team consists of physicists, biologists, computational chemists, software engineers and mathematicians. We have created a company culture that is based on scientific and personal integrity and a highly supportive, inclusive attitude. Our curiosity and drive stem from the shared passion to contribute to our scientific understanding of proteins and to translate these insights into reality by developing drugs that make people's lives better.

Corporate culture

Default to transparency. As individuals, we view transparency as a lifestyle of authenticity, respect, and honesty. As a team, we view transparency as an effective way to work remotely and establish a culture of trust.

Cultivate positivity. We strive to approach things in a positive way while realizing all emotions are valid. We encourage constructive feedback from team members and business partners to foster positive collaborations.

Show gratitude. We regularly stop and demonstrate gratitude for our circumstances. We are reverent to our team, investors, advisors, and commercial partners who believed in us from the beginning and will always use this as a guiding light to growth.

Practice reflection. We believe the act of introspection is where true learning and life-changing adjustments originate. We approach discussions intentionally and think through all angles.

Improve consistently. We are biased toward action and have a higher expectation of ourselves and of our technology than others have of us. We aim to be fully engaged in our work and activities, and fully disconnected when we're not working.

Act beyond yourself. We consider the bigger picture, knowing our work goes beyond ourselves. We are not afraid of the less-traveled path if it holds true to our values and betters the world.

Build Sustainably. Sustainability is at the core of our technology, research, and team values. Oppenheimer's supercomputer runs on 100% renewable energy and mitigates the need for traditional high-throughput experiments in our Swiss lab. Our team is incentivized and committed to growing a sustainable future and corporate culture.

Diversify. Diversity at all levels is paramount in translating biophysics to first in-class medicines while embracing the serendipity of science. Diversity in mindsets, gender, skills, backgrounds, and — because we are geeks, protein sequences — are key to building an impactful future for our patients.

Patient Passion. Our team is interwoven with a passion for understanding the “why” of protein drug failures to avoid them. The integration of the Oppenheimer platform with our Swiss pre-clinical laboratory is an unwavering commitment to developing first-in-class protein therapeutics for our patients.

Reverence to the giants. We embrace the fortitude and ingenuity of all the great minds and teams who advanced the field of protein biophysics to enable cutting-edge therapeutics. It is our honor to collaborate in this arena to pay homage to scientists who laid the very foundation.

Committed to our Corporate Culture to embrace diversity, Peptone Ltd and affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers building a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Our mission

Delivering first-in-class medicines for better patient outcomes is our obsession. Translating biophysics of intrinsic protein disorder to generate de novo protein therapeutics is our passion.

What we bring...

A non-hierarchical environment where everyone has a voice to influence and shape the company's future direction
An appreciative atmosphere with fair salaries, company benefits and top-class working equipment
A highly dynamic environment with plenty of opportunities for career development
A highly skilled and interdisciplinary team that is passionate about proteins, science and business
A unique company allowing you to push the boundaries of biopharmaceutical drug development
A fast-paced company with novel science and academic rigour at its core
A flexible working setup to ensure a work-life balance

We inform you that your personal data will be processed according to the applicable Data Protection Law. The Data Controller is Peptone Switzerland AG, which will process your personal data for employee recruitment purposes. To view the extended information notice, please select the 'apply to position' link here above.

Scientist - Mass Spectrometry